This isn't a movie for everyone. A fairly large chunk of the movie watching public will dislike this, saying it is slow and long. But that's exactly why I was so captivated while watching this.
Essentially, this is an old school, intelligent, historically and politically-charged romp through Middle Ages England. The fight scenes, like Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven before it, are large and epic, but less so. Instead, this time around, most of the intrigue lies in the characters, the setting and the politics. Acting is excellent all around, and the filmmaking is methodical and precise (though do not expect anything avant-garde).
Basically, this is a classic Middle Ages film that will satisfy History buffs like myself, but bore anyone who has trouble dealing with politics and dialogue.
In a sentence:
A greatly entertaining, slow, methodical, intelligent and precise Medieval flick that displays some decidedly old-school filmmaking. Not that that's a bad thing.
